- Fridge temperature mistakes identified
- Impact on food wastage
- Need for consumer education
Although it is a common component in kitchens worldwide, it appears that you may be utilising your refrigerator incorrectly.
Food Spoilage and Wastage
A new report reveals that 17% of the population maintains an incorrect refrigerator temperature.
RMIT University researchers found that over 20% of homes use appliances outside the recommended 2–7°C (35.6–44.6°F) range.
The primary author of the study, Dr. Bhavna Middha, stated, “When food is too warm, bacteria multiply too rapidly.”
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Extremely frigid food has the potential to freeze or develop freezer burn. Each of these circumstances results in food spoilage.
Wrap estimates that the UK discards 9.5 million tonnes of food, 70% of which was intended for consumption.
The organisation explains on its website, “The food that could have been consumed is equivalent to more than 15 billion meals – enough to feed the entire population of the United Kingdom three meals per day for eleven weeks.”
Given that households are recognised as substantial contributors to food waste, the researchers endeavoured to determine the influence of refrigerators on food waste patterns.
The refrigerator and freezer temperatures of 56 households were monitored by the team.
Widespread Lack of Awareness
A total of 17% of the refrigerators were discovered to be either warmer or colder than the recommended range, and temperatures across the various fridge levels were inconsistent.
It was discovered that certain platforms reached 10°C (50°F), whereas others descended to -1.1°C (30°F).
“According to our research, the majority of households are unaware that their refrigerators may hasten the deterioration of their food, particularly if the temperature is higher than the norm,” Dr. Middha explained.
Before understanding their refrigerator was the problem, most households blamed themselves for misreading the use-by date.
The situation was worse for freezers, which should be kept between -15°C and -20°C (5°F and -4°F).
A majority of the freezers examined (43%), however, were either colder or cooler than this specified range.
In light of their discoveries, the researchers advocate for enhanced consumer education regarding food storage.
Reducing Food Waste
Dr. Middha stated, “Many households we interviewed reported that contradictory information regarding the length of time food can be stored in the refrigerator led to an abundance of leftovers and the disposal of uncooked meat for fear that it was unsafe to consume.”
“A centralised platform for food storage advice could be an incredibly useful tool for addressing the contradictory recommendations that are causing confusion among households.”
There are, according to Wrap, a number of additional measures that households can implement to decrease food waste.
This includes the utilisation of a ration planner and the substitution of perishable frozen foods for their fresh counterparts.
“The average household in the United Kingdom can save £500 annually and contribute positively to the country’s waste reduction goals by reducing food waste,” stated Wrap.
